<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName" /><o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType" /><o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode" /><o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State" /><o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City" /><o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street" /><o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address" /><o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" /><!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
panose-1:2 2 6 9 4 2 5 8 3 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"\@MS Mincho";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="Section1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">I am the President of Fort Dearborn Chapter of Illinois Audubon.
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Fort</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">
Dearborn</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> Chapter has become involved in the North Lake Shore Drive Study Project to make sure that concerns about migratory birds are represented in the planning process. This email is designed to update birding groups on the current
status of the study and to request input for the April, 2014 task force meetings that are designed to proposed solutions for identified problems. Inputs from concerned birding organizations and other interested parties are being requested by the end of March,
2014.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold">Background<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">The North Lake Shore Drive Study Project is a study through 2016 to lead to the rebuilding of
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">North Lake Shore Drive</st1:address></st1:Street> in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City></st1:place> from <st1:Street w:st="on">
<st1:address w:st="on">Grand Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street> to Hollywood Ave. Key members of the project study group are the Illinois Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Park District,
and Chicago Transit Authority.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">The goal of the project study group is to develop transportation facilities that fit into surroundings, improve safety and mobility, and preserve and enhance the scenic,
economic, historic, and natural qualities of the area. The study area includes all of
<st1:City w:st="on">Lincoln Park</st1:City> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City></st1:place>. It is anticipated that an Environmental Assessment and possibly an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared and submitted before
construction can be commenced. The project study group has solicited input from the various stakeholders through setting up several task forces and public meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Fort Dearborn Audubon serves on the Park Users and Environmental task forces. Other task forces are the transportation, business and institutional, and three geographic
area (Grand Ave. to <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Diversey Ave</st1:address></st1:Street>;
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Diversey Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street> to
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Montrose Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street>; and
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Montrose Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street> to
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Hollywood Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street>) task forces.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Environmental issues being considered include: social, economic, historical resources, archaeological resources, air quality, highway traffic noise, plants and wildlife,
water quality, floodplain, wetlands, hazardous waste, land use, parks and recreation, soils and geology, and visual resources.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold">Problem Areas Identified<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Some of the general problem areas that have been identified include:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Reduce congestion and improve mobility<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Improve safety
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Improve transit<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Improve east-west access<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Provide and expanded and safer bicycle and pedestrian facilities<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Problems identified by the Park Users Task Force include:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Lack of safety and comfort at access points
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Lack of lighting<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Lack of amenities along trail and secondary trails, way finding (access points), mile markers, water fountains<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Trail safety; inconsistent trail design, lack of separation at crossings, lack of separation of users<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Pedestrian tunnels and corners;
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Oak Street</st1:address></st1:Street> and Division curve,
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">North Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street> bridge<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Design of road, trail design, trail infrastructure, accessibility points, junctions and entry points<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Trail widens and constricts at various points for all users, sand blows onto path, ability to plow; path materials<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Poor safety, accessibility and congestion to and from
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Lake Shore Drive</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Insufficient public transit, lack of dedicated right-of way along North Lake Shore Drive, poor access into park on transit, Lack of accessible transit for tourists<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Lack of communication to drivers exiting
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">North Lake Shore Drive</st1:address></st1:Street> that they are entering a different traffic environment<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Signage
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Cubs traffic/Addison access<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Poor safety and accessibility to and from lake front path, inadequate lighting<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Lack of emergency pull-offs<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Trees hide streetlights, more adequate lighting because the sodium lights go off and on randomly<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Emergency phones<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Problems identified by Environmental Task Force include:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Carbon neutral highway that minimizes environmental impact, improving air quality, reducing noise, and/or generating energy<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Too much congestion, not a good route for the bike community, allocation of space<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Need to move traffic efficiently and safely, slower?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Not safe: poor lighting, traffic speed enforcement, isolated underpasses, gapers delays, pedestrian crossing access/signage<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Transit: time saving efficiency versus driving, multi-model transit corridor – not a highway<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Extreme traffic congestion at Montrose/Wilson/Lawrence, cross streets, during summer, beach recreational high season<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">North Lake Shore Drive</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street> is obsolete for today’s needs: not positioned for future
trends with bikes and pedestrians, based on 1930 design trends<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">How do we encourage transportation other than automobile use?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">East/east west movements, transit not linked, routes ineffective for pedestrians<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">How do we deal with conflicts between pedestrians, bikes, dogs, cars, birds, etc.?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Lakefront trail facility doesn’t suit the demand: too narrow, too crowded, general confusion, poor flow, poor signage, extreme competition among users, poor lighting,
safety concerns<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Construction/renovation may have negative impact on natural and restored habitat in study area<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Storm water runoff can negatively impact resources; natural resources (<st1:place w:st="on">Lake Michigan</st1:place>), city resources (storm/sanitation sewers)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">How do we encourage resiliency of the shore line and a natural connection to the lake?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">How to minimize negative storm water impacts, encourage more storm water flow back into the lake?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Keep higher speed trail users away from natural areas<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Improve and expand natural habitats<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Improve public restroom facilities and security near natural habitats<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Direct lighting where needed and minimize light diffusing into sky
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">With an area in such high use as
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lincoln Park</st1:City></st1:place> and <st1:Street w:st="on">
<st1:address w:st="on">North Lake Shore Drive</st1:address></st1:Street>, there are of course many interests represented on the task forces with sometimes complementary and sometimes competing interests.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold">Action Request<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">The upcoming April, 2014 task force meetings will seek to identify possible solutions to identified problems. A specific date for the meetings has not yet been set,
nor a specific date for a follow-on public meeting. For example, one of the solutions being considered is to do a lake fill between
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Grand Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street> and
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Oak Street</st1:address></st1:Street> to widen traffic lanes, create interchanges with
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State></st1:place> and Chicago Avenues, widen the lakefront trail, and add native plantings. More information about the North Lake Shore Drive Study Project can be found at their website: www.northlakeshoredrive.org.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">I would appreciate any inputs from
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:City> area birding groups and other interested parties as to ways to improve the north lake front area from
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Grand Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street> to
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Hollywood Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street> for migrating birds. It would be helpful to have those inputs by the end of March, 2014. I have already submitted to the project study group BCN’s green paper “The Lake
Michigan Flyway: Chicagoland’s Role in the Miracle of Bird Migration” by Terry Schilling and Christine Williamson. You may reply by email or by mail to the address indicated below.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:
12.0pt">Thank you for your inputs.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Mark Luscombe</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">President<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Fort</span></font></st1:PlaceType><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Dearborn</st1:PlaceName></span></font></st1:place><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"> Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Illinois</span></font></st1:State></st1:place><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">
Audubon Society<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial">1619 N. Vine<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Chicago</span></font></st1:City><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">,
<st1:State w:st="on">Illinois</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">60614</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><font size="2" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>